Palace announces new PDEA, POEA heads

Malacañang on Thursday named the new heads of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). In a text message, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte confirmed the appointment of retired Chief Superintendent Jose "Sonny" Gutierrez, a former chief of the Southern Police District, as director general of the PDEA. Gutierrez replaced Dionisio Santiago, a retired Armed Forces chief who led the PDEA through some controversial cases such as the capture of the so-called Alabang Boys, three scions of wealthy families accused of peddling illegal drugs; and the conviction of Amin Imam Boratong who owned a "shabu tiangge" in Pasig. Both Gutierrez and Santiago are products of the Philippine Military Academy. Santiago is more senior (PMA '70) than Gutierrez (PMA '73). Lawyer Carlos Cao Jr., meanwhile, was appointed to replace Jennifer Manalili as POEA administrator. Cao served as chief legal counsel and head of the corporate planning department of Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. He stayed at the company for 19 years until his retirement in 2006. In a phone interview with GMANews.TV, Cao said he was appointed upon deliberation by the search committee, and was informed by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz of his appointment last December 29. Cao finished Journalism in the University of the Philippines in Diliman and then took up law at the UP College of Law. He is the brother of incumbent UP Diliman Chancellor Sergio Cao. — Jam Sisante/RSJ, GMANews.TV